Summer holidays come and go…and are you eating the same food.
The same well done burgers paired with the same gloppy potato salad. Do you just end up feeling bloated and tired?
Whether you’re an adventurous eater or not, there’s certainly room for you to branch out this Fourth of July.
Try something new. Make your holiday a bit healthier (dare I suggest?!). Cook something fresh and exciting for your family.
Today, we’re taking the old classics of Fourth of July and giving them a remix. New ingredients and new techniques are sure to liven up your long weekend.
Burgers
Ok. Now, don’t go and think that I’m saying to ditch burgers. Even as a vegetable lover myself, I do love a good burger (Cookout is my new NC jam for those of you who live nearby).
This could be the year to perfect your burger cooking technique. No more pressing the burger down on the grill or over cooking. Then, top it with something exciting like Sriracha Mayo, Pimento Cheese or an herb like basil. Get creative!
Potato Salad
Keep the mayo for your burger but ditch it for your potato salad with something new and tasty like Salt & Vinegar Potato Salad. This is one of my go-to summer picnic recipes…and it won’t spoil in the sun!
Chips & Dip
Be adventurous and make your own pita chips or crackers, then whip up a simple White Bean Hummus (or use some of your leftover pimento cheese) to serve with them. I’m a fan of this 2-ingredient Za’atar Dip, too.
Slaw
There are so many good options for slaw…and they don’t come out of a plastic container. One of my favorites is this Asian Broccoli Slaw. One trip to Trader Joe’s and you’ll be ready to wow your guests with an Asian-inspired side dish.
Dessert
How could you re-imagine your dessert course? Maybe it’s just fresh local peaches and ice cream or berries and freshly whipped cream. Or maybe you saved some calories for a Kentucky Derby Pie Bar or a scoop of Peach Blueberry Buckle.
Drinks
Instead of lugging out your container of lemonade mix, create something new and fresh that everyone will love. I’m thinking you pick up a bag of key limes and make Limeades for the kids and non-drinkers and Mojitos for everyone else.
Whatever you do or cook, enjoy doing it and share it with somebody else because that’s what makes America great.